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October 22, 2009

CSU Dominguez Hills Among Three CSU Campuses To Launch New Certificate for High-Demand Biotech Professionals

(Carson, CA) – Three California State University campuses (Channel Islands, Dominguez Hills and San Diego) are responding to California’s workforce demand for biotech professionals with a new online certificate for Biotechnology Project Management in Quality Assurance.

The certificate is designed for professionals, with science and engineering backgrounds, who wish to advance their knowledge of the practical skills and tools needed to successfully lead, manage and optimize product development in the life sciences industry. The skills and tools taught as part of the certificate programs stem from a partnership between CSU faculty and industry experts.

The post-baccalaureate certificate programs were developed and will be offered jointly through extended education at each of the three campuses. The programs were made possible, in part, by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that is managed by the CSU Program for Research and Education in Biotechnology (CSUPERB). The purpose of the grant is to serve the needs of the regional life sciences industry in the greater Los Angeles area.

"The biotechnology and other life science industries are among the nation's most promising job creators. These are high-paying, high-demand jobs that will fuel the 21st century California economy," said Susan Baxter, CSUPERB executive director. "The state and nation's ability to compete in the global biotech market depends on educating a skilled workforce."

The certificates are among the very first results of collaboration through the Biocompass Project–- a public-private partnership of eight CSU campuses in Southern California, the Southern California Biomedical Council, the Pasadena Bioscience Collaborative, and Pasadena City College.  The project focuses on coordinating workforce delivery systems and providing industry-specific training to help bridge the gap between current educational offerings and the skill sets needed by biotechnology companies. Biocompass will offer practical, cutting-edge laboratory experiences, short-term workshops, specialized courses and programs taught within the context of the regulated business environment unique to the biotech industry.

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About CSU Dominguez Hills -- California State University, Dominguez Hills is a highly diverse, urban university located in the South Bay, primarily serving the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The university prides itself on its outstanding faculty and friendly, student-centered environment. Known for excellence in teacher education, nursing, psychology, business administration, and digital media arts, new degree programs include computer science, criminal justice, recreation and leisure studies, social work, and communication disorders. On campus is the Home Depot Center, a multi-purpose sports complex that hosts world-class soccer, tennis, track and field, lacrosse, and cycling.

The California State University is the largest system of senior higher education in the country, with 23 campuses, approximately 450,000 students and 48,000 faculty and staff. Since the system was created in 1961, it has awarded nearly 2.5 million degrees, about 89,000 annually. Its mission is to provide high-quality, affordable education to meet the ever-changing needs of the people of California. With its commitment to excellence, diversity and innovation, the CSU is the university system that is working for California.

Media Contact:
Amy Bentley-Smith
(310) 243-2455
abentleysmith@csudh.edu

Erik Fallis, (562) 951-4800 efallis@caltate.edu

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